Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve two vital needs of the JMU students. First, the majors in geology present high quality programs of specialized study focusing on Earth materials, internal and external Earth processes, analysis of Earth history and application of geology to environmental and engineering issues. In support of this mission is a commitment to foster the ability to think analytically and to communicate both within the discipline and with non-scientists. Course work and research experiences prepare the student for postgraduate study or professional careers that are subject to rapidly changing societal needs. Second, our department strives to enhance the university's general education program by offering timely and challenging courses that provide insight into Earth processes and human-environment interactions. These courses promote life long liberal learning by fostering critical thinking and an awareness of natural science.

Goals

Provide a stimulating, intellectual environment for students in geology and environmental science that will generate interest and enthusiasm for learning and will provide a solid foundation for graduate work and careers in geology and environmental science.

Teach science as science is practiced. Since the advancement of scientific knowledge often occurs within a social context - collaboration among scientists, conferences, workshops - the goal is to develop a similar mode of operation for the geology program.

Provide high quality, relevant general studies courses within the discipline that will probe the philosophy of science and the history of geologic thought. These courses will incorporate critical thinking and an appreciation of the human environment.

Career Opportunities and Marketable Skills

Earth Science Teacher

Engineering Geologist

Environmental Geologist

Environmental Scientist/Specialist

Geochemist

Government or Industry Geologist

Geological oceanographer

Geomorphologist

Geophysicist

Hydrologist

Meteorologist

Science Museum Curator

Paleoclimatologist

Paleontologist

Petroleum Geologist

Soil Scientist

Co-curricular Activities and Organization
The department encourages majors and interested non-majors to participate in the student Geology Club, which sponsors field trip, camping excursions, and hosts educational activities for elementary school students. Geology majors are encouraged to apply to be laboratory teaching assistants and research assistants for faculty in the department. Majors are also strongly encouraged to become members of one or more of the following geoscience organizations and to present their research at the affiliated regional or national meetings:

Geological Society of America (GSA)

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT)

Degree and Major Requirements
There are two bachelor degrees offered in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science, a B.S. in geology and a B.A. in Earth science. The B.S. degree has two concentrations: a general geology concentration designed for students that want to take a wider range of geology elective courses and an environmental and engineering geology concentration designed for students that want to focus their geology electives toward applied environmental science. The B.A. in Earth science prepares individuals to work in a wide range of professional public sector service careers where preparation in Earth science and communication of science to nonscientific audiences is a requirement or an asset. This includes the preparation of Earth science teachers.

Bachelor of Science in Geology
Degree Requirements1

Required Courses

Credit Hours

General Education2

41

Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education)

3

Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education)

3-4

Major requirements (listed below) and electives

70-74

120

1 Students must follow the "Degree Requirements at James Madison University" as stated in this catalog.2 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

Major Requirements
The following are core courses required for B.S. degree students:

The B.S. degree in geology is designed for students who plan to obtain professional employment in geology or enter graduate school upon graduation. It is recommended that incoming B.S. degree students complete the following courses prior to enrolling in required geology courses numbered 300 and higher.

Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science
The B.A. in Earth Science degree is designed to integrate all the Earth sciences in a systems approach to understanding the Earth. This includes incorporating and integrating subjects such as oceanography, meteorology and astronomy. The emphasis is on the preparation of individuals to work in a wide range of professional public sector service careers where preparation in Earth science and communication of science to non-scientific audiences is a requirement or an asset.

Degree Requirements1

Required Courses

Credit Hours

General Education2

41

Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required)3

0-14

Philosophy course(s) (in addition to General Education courses)4

3

Major requirements (listed below) and electives

60-71

120

1 Students must follow the "Degree Requirements at James Madison University" as stated in this catalog.2 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.3 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student's chosen language (typically 232), or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures' placement test.4 100-, 200-, 300- or 400-level course acceptable or consult the list of courses satisfying B.A. degree requirements at http://www.jmu.edu/registrar.

Major Requirements
B.A. degree students are expected to complete CHEM 131-131L before enrolling in required geology courses numbered 300 and higher.

Teaching Licensure
Students interested in becoming teachers must meet specific curriculum requirements in their major as part of the undergraduate academic degree. The B.A. in Earth science includes state course requirements in astronomy, meteorology and oceanography, to total no less than 32 hours in the Earth sciences (including geology) and a minimum of 16 hours total in physics, chemistry and biology.
In addition to the general education and academic major requirements, Earth science majors desiring secondary teacher licensure must be admitted to teacher education, complete the pre-professional program in secondary education at the undergraduate level and complete the graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching degree.